Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-11-10
SUFFERING in SILENCE.

|
her sisters family In western Village
The IllOttsons had welcomed her +
their home and her sisters husband
Herbert had tried his hest to make he
comfortable. In time his brother Ralpl
fell in love with her, and it was decided
That as soon rs the house that he wa
building was completed they should bt
married.
1t was about this time that grea
trouble fell upon that peaceful house
hold. Herbert Illottson had some
trouble with a notorious character
named Fallin, and in time a bitter
enmity grew up between them.
lliottson found his cattle dying off by
Loison, and once when he heard thai
Fallin had shot his pet dog Juno In
malice, he took down his gun from the
wall, saying:
"pll settle Fallin If catch him.n
Ralph felt alarmed, knowing his
brothers temper, and soon followed
him to see what happened.
The next day the family were all sit
ting down TO breakfast the sheriff of
the county appeared in the doorway,
and announced that he had come to ar
rest Ralph Illottson.
The man Fallin had been found mur-
dered and something of Ralph's near
hy--a curious pipe that had been given
him by Ida Gray, his betrothed.
May L speak to my brothtr mo-
ment?" asked the prisoner, and the
sheriff, who disliked his task, readily
consented to give the permission.
Ralph drew his brother aside and
said:
"For Gods sake keep still about last
night. You've got a family and /
haven't. I'll bear the punishment"
but why should you? Neither one
of us should suffer for the crime. In o
few days you will be free manv' and
there was no fear I'M his face.
Ralph looked wonderingly at the 9th.
er's face as he was led away.
He had resolved that he would make
no defense in the case, and maintained
silence throughout the trial.
Thejury brought him in guilty, with
recommendation to mercy on account
of his hitherto blameless character.
he was sentenced to imprisonment
for life instead of hanging.
When the prison walls closed about
him, in all probability for the whole of
his remaining days, 1t can be imagined
that there was deep mourning within
the family circle at the farm house, of
which he had been the light and ador-
ment.
Ida-his betrothed bride-had one
secret hiden within her heart whit
kept her from sinking entirely under
the blow.
To her alone had Ralph broken his
resolute silence, but it was under a
promise of secrecy which she would
have died rather than break.
u will ease my heart by telling it to
you, Ida, because, out ofall the world,
you are the one who has a right. to
know the truth. am as innocent Of
the crime as you are, but choose to
suffer In place Of the real offender; and
If you are the loyal little woman / think
you TO be, you will abide unquestiona-
bly, by my decision.n
And Ida, raised by his confidiDg be-
lief and trust in her to the lofty place
of self-abnegation upon which Ralph
himself stood, made no outcry.
She accepted the situation in the
same light as Ralph, and III any suspic-
ion as to the identity of the real sinner
ever entered her mind, it went no
farther.
She, with the remainder Of the af-
filcted family, went on In the round of
daily duties quietly and uncomplain-
ingly.
Sheriff Kendall was not satisfied with
the result of the case, and did his best
to try and find way to help the
prisoner. A few weeks after Ralph had
entered his prison burgular in q neigh
boring towps was shot down one night,
The sheriff was given charge of the
mans effects. What was his delight to
ind in an old portmanteau d paper
from which had been torn the gun
Wads found near the spot of Fallin,s
murder, and the amber mouth-piece Of
the pipe.
There was little delay in making out
the papers to set Ralph free, and then
Kendall went to him with the good
news that the real murderer had been
found, and that he was declared tosbe
and was no longera prisoner.
Ralph listened to him in dazed sort
Of way at first, and then he astonished |
Kendall BY exclaiming:
'fhen Herbert did not kill Fallin
after all? How i have misiudged him!
| in my way, have been as Unjust to |
him as my fellow men have been to |
me.p
"Then that was where the trouble
lay, was it?" said Kendall "You
sacrificed yourself for Herbert. did you?l
Well no one need tell me there Is no
0rotherly affection in the world afterl
this. But come, we will go and carry |
our glad news to Herbert and the rest.h
After the first rejoicings at Ralph,s
return were over he turned to his
brother.
Herbert Y he said, II must make 4
confessing before / rest contented. I'll
thought you gave Fallin his death
blow. VIII you forgive me for mis-
Judging you SO cruelly?o
You have as much to forgive az Il |
have, Ralph. for | thought you had
taken revenge upon him for killing
Juno. And instead you allowed your
self to be stamped criminal to shield
the brother you thought guilty, How
can | repay you, Ralph?p
BY cheering up and trying to look
Ike yourself again, Herbert. YouI
have grown ten years olfersince have
been In PRISON.
II shall grow young again. now
Ralph. For / feel so happy and IichtI
hearted at seeing you again thatit takes
ne back to my boyish days.
And, Ida, come here and listento
ne. want my faithful little girl to I